Veronica O’Donnell, from Elm Park, has tried to stop smoking many times, but this time we can all follow her efforts as she takes part in the ‘Start Again in 2010’ project on RTE’s Afternoon Show.

Before Christmas, The Afternoon Show appealed to viewers to join in with the New Year project, ‘Start Again in 2010.’ The project is split in two ambitions: one group will give up cigarettes and a second group will lose baby weight, whilst at the same time learning a fitter, healthier lifestyle. Six volunteers were chosen and they include Veronica O’Donnell, who is 48 and a mother of three grown-up children. She works part-time as a home help with the HSE.

Veronica smokes around 20 cigarettes a day and more when she is out. She did give up a few years ago, lasting about eight months but her mother fell ill and she went back on them, something she regrets to this day. She knows how hard it was the first time to give up and says she really needs the support to do it a second time. If she can give up anyone can and she hopes to encourage others to join in. Veronica has tried ‘Champix’ but it did not work for her. She tried patches and the chewing gum but none of them helped her to stop smoking. She admits she now has a bad chest from smoking and says her doctor is always at her to give up.

Veronica is hoping that if she can stop smoking then her husband will copy her efforts.

She has three children aged between 19 and 24 who really want their mother to give up cigarettes. She is willing to try anything and has the full support of her family.

Veronica's daughter is turning 21 in September and her goal is to arrive at the 21st birthday not smelling of smoke.

Economically Veronica is currently spending €261.95 a month on smoking, based on the cost of one 20-cigarette pack a day, costing €8.45 each.

The Afternoon Show will follow all the volunteers’ progress over the next 10 weeks, featuring the mums and their weight-loss progress every Tuesday and then Veronica and her fellow group of smokers every Thursday. Veronica’s next television appearance will be next Thursday afternoon.

Speaking to The Nationalist, Veronica said that her first time in the RTE studios was nerve-racking and her heart was in her mouth, but it went well and she has no regrets about signing up for such a public project.

To help her resist smoking a cigarette Veronica is using the ‘tapping’ method, where she taps energy points on her body when she feels the urge to smoke, and this calms her down.

She describes it as feeling like she has had a cigarette by the time she is done because it makes her feel calmer. A few weeks into the project she is feeling upbeat and positive she will be successful.

Each volunteer will provide The Afternoon Show with video diaries throughout the campaign, charting their emotional journey.

The project is due to culminate in the final results shows on Monday, March 15 for the smokers and Tuesday, March 16 for mums.